Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.

Iran nuclear issue: Expert-level talks set for next week

by

Iran and six world powers will hold an expert-level meeting on the nuclear issue in Vienna next week, media reported Thursday.

Experts from Iran, headed by Baeidinejad, and the P5+1 group, namely Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States with Germany, represented by Stephen Clement, an aide to the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, will meet to discuss details of a possible comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme, Xinhua cited Iranian nuclear negotiator Hamid Baeidinejad as saying to semi-official ISNA news agency .

Honey Singh to bring boxing league to India in October

by

Super rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh is on to another league, literally. After starting his Global Fighting Championship (GFC), a boxing league in Dubai, the singer has plans to bring the “mother of all boxing events” to India.

Talking about the event which started at the Dubai World Trade Centre Thursday, Honey Singh said: “Film actors, sportspersons, musicians, socialites, royalty and just personal friends…they were all here. I want this to be one of the biggest sporting events from India.”

Katy Perry controls anxiety with medicines

by

Singer Katy Perry says she consumes Beta blockers – a drug that treats migraine, high blood pressure and anxiety – every time before going on stage to perform.

The 29-year-old said that she takes pills before getting on stage at her concerts because she doesn’t want her nervousness to jeopardise her music career, reports contactmusic.com.

“I have to take Beta blockers, I get so nervous. I think I have to get through this. I can’t let these people down, but mostly I can’t let myself down,” said Perry.

Increase taxes on tobacco to deter youngsters: NGO

by

In order to deter youngsters from taking to tobacco, an NGO Saturday urged the West Bengal and central government to increase tobacco taxes to 65 percent.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day Saturday, NGO MANT appealed to the state government to implement the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) in letter and spirit.

High tobacco prices are very effective in discouraging youngsters from taking up smoking, according to an official of the organisation.

Odisha Congress leader undergoes bypass surgery

by

Odisha Congress leader and former minister Narasingha Mishra has undergone a heart bypass surgery at a private hospital in Mumbai, a family member said Saturday.

The 73-year-old Mishra, who won the assembly election from Bolangir constituency, was admitted to a hospital in state capital Bhubaneswar May 26, after he felt pain in his chest.

He was flown to Mumbai’s Asian Heart Institute May 27 following confirmed blockage in his arteries. Doctors advised him to undergo immediate bypass surgery after multiple tests confirmed blockages in arteries linked to the heart.

Lottery winner donates 50 mn euros to charity

by

A mystery winner of the Euromillions lottery in France is donating 50 million euros of his 72 million euros jackpot to charity, the media reported Saturday.

The man, in his 50s, has requested anonymity, but the local media said he is unmarried and has no children, The Independent reported.

Ginnifer Goodwin welcomes son

by

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin welcomed her first child with co-star and husband Josh Dallas.

The actress, who starred alongide Dallas in “Once Upon A Time”, welcomed their first child Thursday, reports contactmusic.com.

“Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas welcomed a baby boy yesterday May 29. This is their first child. Both mom and baby are doing great,” said a source.

Godwin, 35, confirmed her pregnancy in November last year, shortly after the pair announced their engagement.

BJP team to appraise centre over Bengal attacks

by

Accusing Mamata Banerjee of sponsoring anarchy in West Bengal, the BJP Saturday said it would appraise the central government over the attacks on its party activists allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress.

A five-member team of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by party vice presidents S.S. Ahluwalia and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Saturday visited Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, where over two dozen party workers were injured after they were “fired upon by Trinamool patronised goons”.

Dalai Lama inaugartes Somaiya School in Mumbai

by

Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday inaugurated the Somaiya School in suburban Mumbai. Surrounded by children performing the ‘lezim’ Maharashtrian folk dance, he discussed the richness of ancient Indian knowledge and traditions.

He urged the students on the need to work hard on building up on that ancient knowledge and move forward for faster progress.

Increase prices of tobacco products, say activists

by

Balan, 53, a casual labourer has been suffering from oral cancer for the past seven years and had to sell his house to pay for treatment. On World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Saturday, he pleaded all users to quit using tobacco products.

“I have lost my house as I had to raise money for my treatment,” said the father of three daughters.

“The only way to contain this menace is to increase the price of tobacco products,” said a frail looking Balan, who was accompanied by his wife, Ammini, at a meeting organised by WNTD Kerala State Organising Committee.

Media affected election outcome, say Congress, AAP

by

The media impacted the outcome of the general election and helped the BJP swing at least five six percent votes in its favour, the Congress and the AAP said Saturday.

“The media mattered in a way it had not in the past. The media helped the BJP swing at least five six percent votes, and reach a tally of 282 seats,” Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav said at a talk show “Did media swing 2014 election results”, arranged by the Foundation for Media Professionals.

Congress spoekesperson Deepak Amin alleged there was a fair amount of consolidation of business houses in the media today.

Akhilesh removes UP Chief Secretary Usmani, appoints Alok Ranjan

by

In a major bureaucratic shake-up, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Saturday removed Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani and appointed Alok Ranjan to the post.

Usmani, considered close to the chief minister’s father and Samajawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, had sought permission to go on central deputation, said informed sources.

Power supply restored in storm-hit northern states: Ministry

by

Of the 68 lines of the Northern Grid that tripped owing to Friday’s fierce storm causing load interruption, 49 lines have been fixed and supply has been gradually restored in all the affected states, the power ministry said here Saturday.

The restoration of lines in Delhi was taken up on a war footing, the ministry said.

“At present, about 3,800 MW load is being met. There is a load restriction of about 200 MW in Pappankala, Gopalpur and Rohini areas of Delhi,” the statement added.

On ‘Holiday’ set, English was a saviour!

by

Language turned out to be a bit of an issue on the set of forthcoming Bollywood film “Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty” as it had a mix of Hindi and Tamil-speaking crew. But the film’s lead actors Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha say it was all in good fun!

For one of the songs in this Hindi remake of Tamil entertainer “Thuppakki”, some sand had to be thrown in the air for effect. But the people who were responsible for throwing the sand ended up overdoing it as the instructions were being given in Hindi and they didn’t understand it.

Bindra, Narang to spearhead Indian challenge, Sodhi axed

by

Riflemen Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang will spearhead the Indian challenge while double trap exponent and Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi was Saturday left out of the 30-member squad for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after a string of poor shows.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Saturday selected 30 shooters for the rifle, pistol and shotgun events. Some 10 shooters will take part in six shot gun events.

Coffee can cheer you up, but affect mood too

by

Whether it’s a latte on the way to work or an espresso to get through the afternoon slump, coffee has become a routine formula for several youths. However, think twice before sipping on it as it can also have some side effects.

Health guidelines recommend a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine per day, but as there is caffeine in tea, chocolate and fizzy drinks as well as coffee, the intake often turns out to be more than required, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

MoEF will ensure mining resumes in Goa: Javadekar

by

Union Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday said his ministry would work towards speedy resumption of mining in Goa.

Javadekar, who was speaking on the sidelines of a public event near Panaji, also said the central ministry would take a call on the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats at a June 4 meeting in New Delhi.

“My ministry will work towards ensuring that legal mining is resumed in Goa as soon as possible,” Javadekar said.

Varanasi doctor held for assaulting nurse

by

A doctor at a government women’s hospital here was arrested on Saturday for assaulting a nurse, police said.

A police officer said the incident took place in the Kabeer Chaura locality and that a case had been registered.

Eyewitnesses said that the doctor lost his temper and beat up the nurse while she was assisting him in a caesarian operation.

Soon after the incident, nurses in the hospital staged a sit-in, demanding the doctor’s suspension.

Now Hindi remake of ‘The Intouchables’, courtesy KJo, Monga

by

Filmmaker Karan Johar’s banner Dharma Productions together with producer Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment will co-produce the official remake of popular French film “The Intouchables”. Mohit Suri will direct the project.

In the announcement on Twitter, Karan posted: “Guneet Monga (Sikhya Entertainment) and Dharma Productions will co-produce the official remake of ‘The Intouchables’…directed by Mohit Suri.”

Confirming the same, Monga tweeted: “Guneet Monga and Dharma Productions to co-produce the official remake of ‘The Intouchables’. To be directed by Mohit Suri.”

FDI hike in defence to boost production: HAL

by

Prospects of an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector would enhance production and generate employment, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd chairman R.K. Tyagi said Saturday.

“With the possibility of increase in FDI limit in defence sector, production activity will get a boost in India,” he said at a vendors meet here.

Big B, Aamir to launch Dilip Kumar’s biography

by

Iconic veteran actor Dilip Kumar’s long-awaited biography “Substance and Shadow”, will be launched here June 9 in the presence of the thespian’s wife Saira Banu as well as Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan.

The biography, which was earlier scheduled to be released on Dilip Kumar’s 91st birthday in December last year, is penned by author Uday Tara Nayar, who is also a close family friend of the Bollywood thespian.

Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar is also likely to be present at the momentous occasion, said a statement Saturday.

Tytler appears in court in defamation case

by

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler Saturday appeared in a court here in connection with a defamation case filed against him by senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, who is appearing for victims in a case of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Tytler appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao.

Phoolka had filed the defamation case alleging that the Congress leader made a derogatory remark about him in a news programme aired on a private news channel Sep 7, 2004.

Beyonce cheating on Jay-Z with bodyguard?

by

If the grapevine is to be believed, singer Beyonce Knowles is cheating on her husband and singer Jay-Z and she is reportedly having an affair with her bodyguard Julius De Boer.

Jay-Z, who got married to Knowles in 2008, is said to be suspicious about her close relationship with Boer, reports showbizspy.com.

“Jay definitely thinks that there was and may still be something romantic going on between Bey and Julius. He wanted to fire Julius last February, but Beyonce said- ‘Julius isn’t going anywhere’,” said a source.

All GOMs, EGOMs abolished

by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday decided to abolish all the 30 ministerial groups to bring more accountability and faster decision making among his colleagues who head the various ministries and departments.

There are currently nine empowered groups of ministers (EGOMs) and 21 groups of ministers (GOMs), which were set up to take decisions on various matters before bringing them for the cabinet’s consideration.

“This would expedite the process of decision making and usher in greater accountability in the system,” an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.